He courted and married Wanda Branby on February 7, 1953. Together they raised 6 children, Beth, Greg, Brian, Mike, Bruce and Jackie.
He was known to many as “Trapper John” or “JJ”.
He accrued up to six weeks of vacation a year and he used it every year mostly with hunting and fishing trips. He spent a lot of time with his brothers, his brother’s-in law, his immediate family and friends. Most of his fishing stories came from Lake Minnewaska in Glennwood, Lake Sallie in Detroit Lakes, Canada and of course - - Lake Mille Lacs. There were also vacations to Vegas where Wanda would play the slots and John would scope out the hottest machines for Wanda to play next.
John retired from telephone company after 40 years of service. He rarely (if ever) missed a day of work. Despite his years of pain and suffering and his struggle with alcohol, he displayed quite a work ethic. John overcame his problem with alcohol, on his own 16 years ago. Being the strong person he was, he was able to “kick the habit“ - - something we were very proud of.
John was a very strong and determined individual. Despite his disability he got around quite well in his younger days and enjoyed life to the fullest. That changed, however, toward the later years. Shortly after he retired he rarely left the house. Once when he did, he came home to a remodeled kitchen - - that was it he never left again.
John took care of his family. He was always there to give you a $10, $20 or even $100 bill when you needed it. He was always willing to help. I’m sure many people here today recall him telling them to “pull the hood” when they drove into his driveway. He’d always check to make sure their car was running smoothly
I’ll never forget the time my boss Barbara said, “hey Jackie, isn’t that your dad out there in the parking lot working on your car?” It was..........he was changing a headlight - - in the middle of January wearing a snowmobile suit!
Whatever John had was good enough for him! He’d make sure everyone else had everything they needed (us kids anyway not always Wanda) but what he had was fine. That is evidenced by the 1985 truck and Chevy Citation sitting in his driveway today, the numerous bikes in his basement and the garage filled with the “stuff” John would never throw away. By the way please stop by the garage sale following the service today!
Most every friend of the kids became a friend to John and Wanda as well. He was a favorite uncle to many, a great neighbor, a great friend and a great father. He touched many lives..... whether it was the neighbor kid Stew who shared the same birthday with John, his great newphew Kegger who was his little fishing buddy, his nephew Gary who he took time to have a drink with and talk to prior to his departure to Vietnam, or when he traveled all the way to Philadelphia (by car) to be with his nephew Tom who had been wounded in the Vietnam War. These are just few of the lives he touched.
Then there’s the mailman and the paperboy. Just the other day, the mailman stopped by to give his condolences. John talked with him almost everyday when he came by. In fact, the mailman said John was the only customer of his who knew his first and last name. He recalled John always being bare-backed (wearing no shirt) and wearing his baseball cap backwards. He of course remembers being invited in for lunch numerous times.
I’m sure the paperboy recalls John standing patiently at the door for his morning paper. What a site that must have been - - John standing in his underwear with his crutches. You know he invited him in for coffee and donuts!
Then there’s Cub Foods. John visited Cub almost daily while on his trip through downtown Bloomington. Pushing the cart made it easier for him to get around. He loved to taste the food and visit with the people in the meat department. I’m sure there are people here today from Cub and possibly the old Country Club who remember John and wish to pay their respects.
